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The runs came mostly due to misfortune. With one out in the first inning, Kelby Tomlinson’s flare to right field barely eluded second baseman Tyler Smith’s attempt at a sliding catch. Then Ali Castillo hit a pop fly that dropped in fair territory behind first base, a few feet away from D.J. Peterson, who was struggling to gauge it in the wind.

Travis Ishikawa connected for the only hard-hit ball of the inning, a two-run double down the right field line.

“The first inning was tough, but we only allowed one hit after the third inning,” said Rainiers fill-in manager Andy McKay. “It was a clean game, and both teams controlled the strike zone.”

The score remained 2-0 until the ninth. Blach needed only 91 pitches to get through eight innings, and remained on the mound until Peterson led off the ninth with a single to left.

Jean Machi relieved Blach, and Patrick Kivlehan greeted him with a single to right to put the tying runners on base with nobody out.

After failing to get down a bunt, Luis Sardinas flied out to left field, and Zach Shank flied out to center.

Dario Pizzano’s infield single scored Peterson to make it 2-1, and runners were at first and second for Smith.

Smith had a patient at-bat, working a full count. He then took a pitch that appeared high for an apparent ball four — but not in the eyes of plate umpire Travis Eggert, who called it a game-ending strike three.

It was a strange finish for McKay, the Mariners director of player development, who is giving Pat Listach four days off.

“In the last inning we had a chance, but we didn’t get down a key bunt and then whatever, things happened,” shrugged McKay.

McKay did not argue the final called strike, although a frustrated Smith discussed it at length with Eggert while the River Cats celebrated the win.

Short hops

Outfielder Ryan Strausborger was added to the Tacoma roster, making his debut as a pinch runner in the ninth inning. … Reliever Steve Johnson was placed on the seven-day disabled list with tricep soreness. … Johnson is the third Tacoma reliever to land on the disabled list, joining Mayckol Guaipe and Jonathan Aro.